We are proud to honor Dave Dempsey with this year’s Helen and William Milliken Distinguished Service Award. For three decades he has been one of the most consistent, forceful and respected voices for strong public policies that protect Michigan’s environment. Dempsey served as environmental policy advisor to former Michigan Governor Jim Blanchard. He is author or co-author of seven books, including Ruin and Recovery: Michigan’s Rise as a Conservation Leader—a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the historical context of current environmental policy in the Great Lakes State.

Bob Andrus, nominated by the Au Sable River Watershed Committee, will receive the 2013 Petoskey Prize for Environmental Leadership. He has been building grassroots river conservation movements and motivating legions of volunteers to restore Michigan’s legendary trout fishing waters for 30 years. Wading in the Au Sable River and its tributaries to conduct stream erosion surveys, cedar plantings, insect surveys and fish habitat construction, his hands-on knowledge of our waterways helped to shape wise public policy positions.

Your support of our annual awards celebration will provide vital assistance to our efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of Michigan’s people and places.